(CNN) - There are so many scandals in Washington, Sarah Palin said, they could be lumped under the name of the botched gun-running sting that landed Attorney General Eric Holder in hot water long before the Benghazi, IRS or NSA stories came to light.

Palin was the final speaker and star of the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference Saturday program, where she served up her criticism of President Barack Obama with her trademark witticisms.

The former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee offered no clues in her speech about her political future but was introduced by a video that culminated with footage of a roaring and rearing bear. It was a tribute to her "mama grizzly" effort on behalf of tenacious women running for public office.

Asked by CNN if she would be on the campaign trail again in 2014 on behalf of fellow Republicans, Palin replied, "Absolutely, more than ever."

"Time's-a-wasting. Things are moving really quickly and if we don't get out there and defend this republic then America will be transformed into something we do not recognize," she told CNN.

She is also returning to television, where she has been largely absent since her contract with Fox News ended last year. The network said Thursday that she is returning as a paid commentator.

At the conference, she said the Washington controversies remind her of a sarcastic sketch performed by her "really, really good friends at Saturday Night Live." (They're friends, she said, because she provided actress Tina Fey, her look-alike, "job security.")

"Our government spied on every single one of your phone calls but it couldn't find two pot smoking dead-beat Bostonians with a hotline to terrorist central in Chechnya. Really?"

"Its built apparatus to sneak into all the good guys communications, but oops-a-daisy, it missed the Fort Hood mass murder of our own troops despite this Islamic terrorist declaring his ideology in numerous Army counseling sessions and on his own business cards," she said. "Really?"

And the IRS "can't figure out how it managed to spend over 4 million dollars on a training conference because it didn't keep the receipts. Really? You try that with the IRS."

Palin swiped at a fellow Republican, too.

She appeared to reference former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's remark at the same conference on Friday that immigrants were "more fertile," made in the context that legal immigration could "create an engine of economic prosperity."

Bush is a proponent of immigration reform.

Palin responded, "I think it's kind of dangerous territory, touchy territory, to want to debate this over one race's fertility rate over another, and I say this as someone who's kinda fertile herself.

"I don't think that's where we want to go in deciding how we incentivize the hard working responsible families that want to be in the light, follow the law, and become Americans versus those whose very first act on our soil is to break the law," she said.

The former governor took what appeared to be a light-hearted dig at first lady Michelle Obama, who said while being heckled at a fundraiser this month, "One of the things I don't do well is this."

Palin said near the top of her speech, "If there's any protesters, speak now or forever hold your peace, because facing the protesters, facing the critics - that's something I do well."

She voiced her oft-stated dislike for Washington, calling it a "hot mess," and said lawmakers should listen to a senator new to the city.

"You know what I wish Congress would do - just for a week, perhaps, just put themselves on cruise control," she said.

"Ted Cruz control," she added, naming the freshman GOP senator from Texas who she campaigned for last year.

soundoff(395 Responses)

How can anything this woman does be news? She is the most uninteresting, unintelligent human being to have entered American politics. And that is saying a lot!!!

June 15, 2013 06:52 pm at 6:52 pm |

michael in houston

Her desparation for attention is staggering. There is something really weird and creepy about this bug eyed camera freak

June 15, 2013 06:53 pm at 6:53 pm |

jesus f. christ

Can't
Understand
Normal
Thinking

June 15, 2013 06:55 pm at 6:55 pm |

srsly

I love this women. She has not only brains but common sense .Her only problem is the progressives have demonized her and the sheep step right in line. She's honest and decent,alot more than I can say for our,it wasn't me ,I didn't do it president in residence.

June 15, 2013 07:08 pm at 7:08 pm |

TM

Oh yes, Palin is SO good at handling critics that she QUIT her job as Governor before finishing a SINGLE term in office. If this walking political caricature had ANY real ability for leadership, she would still have a job. And if the Grand Old Tea Party had any REAL answers, they wouldn't need to resort to this kind of desperate ploy to keep people interested in them. Special note to Senator Cruz: if you really need Palin as an opening act to remind people who you are, it's time to realize that you five minutes of cheap fame are up.

It' a good thing Sarah Palin provided Tina Fey "job security". A great sense of humor, impeccable comedic timing, brilliant writing, and in front and behind the camera talent, plus great looks will only get you so far.

Inflicting this incompetent quitter on America shows why the TEA/GOP support is nose diving. She should go back to sportsmanship, like shooting wolves from helicopters. Reminds me of an old "American Sportsman" episode where the hunters are tear gassing elephants. Go back to Alaska and keep Palin' around w/witch doctors and secessionists.

June 15, 2013 07:28 pm at 7:28 pm |

YUCK

Lies and more lies

June 15, 2013 07:33 pm at 7:33 pm |

mom

It is a sad commentary on our nation that someone as heroically pro-USA, talented, and hard-working, is insulted as this woman has been. She and her husband love their kids dearly, have stable and deep roots in the USA (no mysteries about their background) and they have business experience, in addition to many real-life, perfectly healthy and productive areas of average, every-day living . Yet she has been cruelly treated so many times. She would have done more to help this country to get back on its feet financially than BO has ever even bothered to dream of doing. She loves the USA. I would vote for her any day.

Sarah is the female GW. Just mention her name and the loony libs froth at the mouth like a rabid Pavlovian dog

June 15, 2013 07:47 pm at 7:47 pm |

russ el

Nothing new here... move along

June 15, 2013 07:51 pm at 7:51 pm |

Chipster

The fabricated and exaggerated scandals are nothing more than lame political attempts to undermine Democrats, especially Hillary Clinton, in the 2016 election. The reference to gun-running is the perfect example. In the interest of sensationalizing the news, so many news agencies simply disregard the facts and go for the gossip column instead of real journalism. Operation Gunner began under the Bush Administration. Fast and Furious, the ridiculous attempt by the ATF to track Mexican cartel; smuggling guns into Mexico, began in 2005. Frankly, I doubt the Obama transition was ever briefed on this operation. We already know that the IRS "scandal" is not a scandal at all. It's the IRS doing its job and Issa jumping before checking his parachute. SPLAT! He looks like a fool now that the truth is known.

June 15, 2013 07:55 pm at 7:55 pm |

russ el

John McCain, once known as a war hero turned maverick politician, will now forever be known as the man that gave us Sarah Palin.

June 15, 2013 07:57 pm at 7:57 pm |

Roy

If Ms. Clinton runs for Pres. 2016, So will Ms Palin may the best man win

June 15, 2013 07:59 pm at 7:59 pm |

Roy

I will vote for Palin,

June 15, 2013 08:00 pm at 8:00 pm |

Valeri Bricklyn

Her brand of Midwestern hick talk "really" resonates with those flat earth sheep.

June 15, 2013 08:04 pm at 8:04 pm |

Abnjm

Go ahead Libs, ignore the issues. Sarah I support you. Keep up the good work.

June 15, 2013 08:17 pm at 8:17 pm |

DL Bross

Back st Faux Spews? What...did she quit her part time job at the Wasilla Walmart.....too?